grande dame

noun

plural grandes dames ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z) How to pronounce grande dame (audio) also grande dames ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z) How to pronounce grande dame (audio)
1
: a usually elderly woman of great prestige or ability
2

Examples of grande dame in a Sentence

the city's grandes dames still hold considerable sway in its cultural life
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Spanning an entire city block on René-Lévesque Boulevard, this 950-room grande dame nods to the 1960s with pops of bold color, geometric light fixtures, graphic rugs, and Eero Aarnio–style ball chairs. Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025 Berlin isn’t known for waterfront estates—but this bucolic grande dame changes that. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2025 Base yourself closer to the airport in the island’s south at Coco Reef Resort & Spa, Tobago’s grande dame oceanfront resort. Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025 The grande dame of Alto Adige chardonnay. Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grande dame

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, great lady

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grande dame was in 1775

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Cite this Entry

“Grande dame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grande%20dame. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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